I Have Countless Past-life Identities-Chapter 79 - 62: No Matter How Dark the ’Sky’ Over Black Mountain Gets, Can It Really Suppress the Guardian?! (2)

Chapter 79: Chapter 62: No Matter How Dark the ’Sky’ Over Black Mountain Gets, Can It Really Suppress the Guardian?! (2)

[It seems you sensed some discontent in your heart, and Chen Zhao said, "Sir... your cultivation seems to be only at the Vajra Realm, right?"]

[The tall and dispirited Department Head sighed, looking at the people beside you: the young Demon Suppression Bureau Chief Ruan Xiuxiu, and the seemingly senile old servant, Xie Qiaoke, who had come to serve.]

[Unable to hold back, he advised again, "Sir, even if you have connections behind the scenes and a high-ranking expert of the third step stationed here, in this one acre and three fields of Black Mountain City, connections might still not be enough."]

["Even if the previous Guardian had connections with the Wutong Prefecture Venerable, so what?"]

["He relied on the tax collected from the Outer City District to exchange for silver coins, and then sought out the pilots of the Duan and Shi families to trade for Great Pills from their businesses, ensuring stable cultivation for several years."]

[This Black Mountain Department Head sneered, realizing his misstep and said nothing more.]

["According to what you said, even though Black Mountain is a small and insignificant city under Wutong Prefecture, it has a permanent population of over a million. The noble clans and martial arts halls of the Inner City rely on Black Mountain, gaining so many benefits, silver coins, and mountain treasures given from below... should they not offer a tribute to the government guardian as well?"]

["According to the Great Zhao Law, the Guardian has the qualification to govern a city and set taxes, as long as they don’t go too far and are reminded by the Prefecture City. It’s the rightful cultivation resource."]

["Half a month ago, the Guardian wasn’t here, yet it is said that the taxes increased again. These people exploit so harshly below, yet are unwilling to tribute above; how are they different from parasites?!" Your eyes flickered, your tone serious, exuding authority without anger!]

[Seeing Chen Zhao’s face change, he looked around, unwilling to discuss further, changing the topic, "It’s getting late, approaching dusk, and there’s a light rain, the mansion left by the previous Guardian is in the Inner City."]

["Just right, I will instruct my subordinate to guide the Guardian there." Saying this, Chen Zhao gestured to that Zheng.]

["This person is named ’Zheng Zizhen’, cultivating Mercury Blood Silver Marrow, still young, and barring accidents, could become a Black Mountain Squad Leader. His family has served in Black Mountain City for generations, familiar with the area."]

["Zheng Zizhen, take the Lord to the Inner City to rest, the other matters can be discussed later."]

[Seeing Chen Zhao unwilling to speak further, you also refrained from asking more.]

[Anyhow, the basic situation is roughly understood, the rest, ’the Dao rises by a foot, the demon rises by ten’, let’s see who is more pervasive!] 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

[Just before leaving the Black Mountain Government Office, you looked at Chen Zhao’s lame leg, curious: "I observe your cultivation also reaches Vajra, body without leaks, healing a leg isn’t difficult, so why..."]

[Upon hearing this, Chen Zhao lowered his head further, a bit bitterly: "Offended someone I shouldn’t have, unable to heal a flawless body, it’s an old issue, causing you concern, the night is deep and dangerous, best to rest early."]

["Additionally..." He looked towards your side, where the Demon Suppression Bureau Chief Ruan Xiuxiu, having listened to your conversation, now showed traces of anger in her brows.]

[He continued, "The Chief of the Demon Suppression Bureau must come from a big sect or influential family to hold this position at such a young age, right?"]

["Allow me to advise, while the Guardian can sit steadily in this position, the Demon Suppression Bureau has a duty to ’slay demons and vanquish devils, clear out evil spirits, and control martial artists’... yet the last three Chiefs in Black Mountain City all met ill ends."]

["If possible, it’s better for the Lord to find a way to transfer elsewhere."]

Black Mountain, Outer City Government Office!

The day approaches dusk, the sky turns dark.

The sound of rain patters quietly.

The office has already lit a row of oil lamps early.

Ruan Xiuxiu drew her sword, giving it a sharp pat, raised her delicate eyebrows slightly, and glared angrily at the Black Mountain Department Head Chen Zhao before her:

"Black Mountain Department Head, what do you mean!?"

"The Demon Suppression Bureau was founded to ’restore order’ itself."

"Whether or not I wear official robes, even without them, this young lady can still wield her sword to slay evils and punish traitors!"

"Is Black Mountain’s sky really this dark? A few officials and merchants collude, and they scare a proper Great Zhao Ninth Grade Department Head?"

"If the martial arts hall doesn’t work, then change for a new sect to establish a base;"

"If the family doesn’t work, then support new ones, it’s no big deal!"

"It’s a matter of human effort,"

"Do you think this young lady and Song Guardian are the same as the previous Guardian and Demon Suppression Bureau Chief?"

"People have changed,"

"So don’t use old rules to judge current people."

"Especially, don’t defame the Guardian’s reputation!"

Song Chai Xin extended his hand, gently pressing down the angry Ruan Xiuxiu, softly shaking his head at her.

Ruan Xiuxiu, hailing from Yunluan Mountain, training with the Demon Suppression Bureau, had never been to such an impoverished place.

She was like a parachute arrival, stepping in to take charge immediately.

The reasoning wasn’t wrong, but teaching a lesson to an Outer City Department Head wasn’t the way.

"Zheng Zizhen..." He turned to look at the constable at the city gate.

The latter, in his twenties, with a slick appearance, perked up at this, acknowledged with an "Aye" and responded, "Sir!"

"Lead the way." Song Chai Xin nodded slightly, saying little else.

The old servant by his side followed closely.

Ruan Xiuxiu sheathed her sword, remaining silent.

Inside the government office, the lamps flickered with light and shadow.

Department Head Chen Zhao sighed.

He sat in his chair, rolling up the left pant leg, his face showing accumulated depression and dejection:

"Heh,"

"Who hasn’t been young once..."

...

Zheng Zizhen led the way, assisting Song Chai Xin onto his horse, securing the stirrup.

The sky grew increasingly dark.

The closer to the Inner City,

The better the environment of Black Mountain became, not only changing from damp and muddy land to clean and tidy stone roads.